The Panthers played in Detroit last year and Birmingham, Ala., the previous three bowl seasons, so Gonzalez is hoping for an unfamiliar venue.

But he's not going to be picky after the Panthers endured a rough road in 2014. They opened the season 3-0 before losing six of their next seven. Among those setbacks were a 21-10 home loss to 5-7 Akron and consecutive home games in which they allowed more than 50 points.

Gonzalez said the one thing he likes most about this team is its resilience.

"We keep fighting," he said. "A lot of games didn't go our way, but we give it our all and we keep working."

Four of Pitt's six losses were by five points or fewer.

There is a parallel between this year's Panthers and Gonzalez's career at Pitt.

The Bethlehem resident came to Pittsburgh after racking up 5,311 total yards and 61 touchdowns in his final two seasons as Liberty's quarterback.

He played H-back and some quarterback in 2011 as a redshirt freshman at Pitt, then was moved to safety to start the 2012 season.

Three months in, Gonzalez was converted to linebacker because injuries depleted the depth at that position.

It took time mentally and physically, but the 6-foot-3, 229-pounder has adjusted.

"I was a little upset at first," Gonzalez admitted. "But I wanted to do what was best for the team. Once I got in the meeting room [with the new position coach], I just went with it."

Gonzalez is Pitt's leading tackler this season with 74, including four for loss, plus one fumble recovery, two pass break-ups and two quarterback hurries. He had seven tackles, one break-up and one QB hurry in the Nov. 29 win (35-23) at Miami (Fla.).

"I wouldn't say it was hard," he said of the positions changes. "I played safety before. But at linebacker, taking on the offensive linemen on every play, that took a good month to get used to."

Gonzalez, who was third on the team last season with 79 tackles, is hoping to play linebacker at the next level. With a degree in communications in his pocket, he's ready to take his best shot at the NFL.

He knows he will need to add weight and maintain his speed and athleticism to play the position at the highest level.

"It's always been football since I was 8 years old," he said. "After playing, I'd love to stay in the game.

"I'm not sure if I want to coach. Maybe I'll get into scouting."

But, like Pitt, he's in no hurry for this season to end.

All they are asking for is someplace new to go.

The Panthers played in what was the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl last year in Detroit. Prior to that, it was three consecutive Compass Bowl appearances in Birmingham, Ala.

"We don't worry about the things we can't control," Gonzalez said. "We're glad to go anywhere. Everywhere is different with unique scenery.

"It's more about the relationships with the players and coaches. Building those bonds, that's the greatest thing about a team sport."

Anthony Gonzalez wouldn't mind a warm-weather locale for his final game in a Panthers uniform, but the University of Pittsburgh senior linebacker will be happy going anywhere for a bowl game after a topsy-turvy 2014 season. Here is Pitt's recent bowl game history: